Order No. 111-NK of the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation validating a unified system for classifying water quality in surface waterbodies and (or) their parts.

This Order primarily addresses the adoption of a unified water quality classification system for surface waters. It aims to establish a standardized framework for assessing water quality across rivers, canals, and reservoirs, excluding seas and lakes. The classification system categorizes water quality into six classes, ranging from 'good quality' to 'highly contaminated,' based on physico-chemical and biological parameters, with specific implications for water use categories including drinking, industrial, irrigation, and recreational purposes. The policy context emphasizes environmental protection and water resource management. Key measures include the formal approval of the classification system, the recognition of the previous regulations' nullification, and the requirement for the Water Resources Committee to ensure its publication on official internet resources. The document specifies that water quality assessments are to be conducted using numerals, with particular attention to the water's suitability for various uses, and references standards for water quality in different contexts, such as industrial and domestic use. It also delineates the water quality standards applicable within specific regions, such as Astana, and stipulates that waters of certain classes must conform to health and sanitary standards as per existing regulations. Implementation responsibilities are assigned to the Vice-Minister of Water and Irrigation, with the Committee for the Regulation, Protection, and Use of Water Resources tasked with ensuring dissemination of the order. The document emphasizes procedural compliance, the phased transition from previous regulations, and the importance of monitoring and enforcement to uphold the new classification system, thereby aligning water management practices with the updated legal framework.